And the winners are ... Four newcomers and seven incumbents were elected to seats on the ACES Executive Committee Two new officers and two new board members were among the 11 winners in the ACES Executive Committee election. The results of the balloting, which ended March 12, were announced Thursday, April 19, during the opening general session of the ACES national conference in Miami. Newcomers Sara Hendricks of the Victoria Advocate in Texas and Lisa McLendon of the Wichita Eagle were the only candidates for vice president/membership and secretary, respectively. Also winning without opposition were three incumbent officers: President Chris Wienandt of the Dallas Morning News, Vice President/Conferences Deirdre Goebel Edgar of the Los Angeles Times and Treasurer Neil Holdway of the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago. Nine candidates ran for six at-large seats on the 10-member board. Voters added Daniel Hunt of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in Californa and Missy Prebula of The New York Times to the board while retaining all four incumbents who sought re-election: William G. Connolly, a New York Times retiree; Teresa Schmedding of the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago; David Sullivan of the Philadelphia Inquirer; and Scott Toole of the Express-Times in Easton, Pa. Last year, board members Sue Blair, Gerri Berendzen, John Boogert and Anne Ferguson-Rohrer won two-year terms and were not up for election this year. Leaving the Executive Committee when the new members are seated May 21 will beVice President/Membership Zoe Cabaniss Friloux, Secretary Jeff Pierron and board members Paula Devlin and Melissa McCoy. Members of the Executive Committee shape the policy of the society and take on responsibility for projects and routine tasks. Officers have additional duties, as outlined in the bylaws at www.copydesk.org. Profiles of the 2007 election winners (Note: Some candidates were nominated by themselves, some by other ACES members. Responses are presented in the third person except for some segments in quotation marks, which are the words of the candidate.) PRESIDENT: Chris Wienandt CURRENT JOB: Business news copy chief, The Dallas Morning News. Slots business copy; acts as night business news editor when that person is off duty. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: ACES president, 2005-present; vice president/conferences, 2001-2005; local organizer of Dallas ACES conference, 1999. Has presented sessions at nine ACES conferences. QUALIFICATIONS: 30 years as a copy editor and slot in newsrooms of varying sizes; extensive involvement with ACES since its first conference; experience in news, business, and features departments; involvement in his paper’s push toward merging online operations into the newsroom VISION FOR ACES: “ACES must help copy editors meet the challenge of finding their place in a changing news environment, especially as online news hurtles into prominence and news companies merge, close or shrink staffs. We must emphasize to managers that copy editing cannot take a back seat as organizations focus increasingly on their online sides. ACES also needs to encourage more regional chapters and expand its offering of one-day workshops in areas regional chapters don’t cover.” VICE PRESIDENT/CONFERENCES: Deirdre Goebel Edgar CURRENT JOB: National copy desk chief, Los Angeles Times. Supervises eight copy editors who edit and slot stories from national correspondents and science reporters. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: Deirdre has served one term as vice president/conferences and was a board member for three years. As VP, she has overseen planning of the Cleveland and Miami conferences, and she planned the first nationally sponsored regional workshop, in Omaha this fall. She previously was editor of the ACES newsletter, and she has coordinated online coverage of past conferences. QUALIFICATIONS: Deirdre has two years of experience as vice president/conferences and served on the committee that planned the Houston and Hollywood conferences. She has experience in scouting and selecting conference locations and negotiating conference hotel contracts. She also has attended every conference except Chapel Hill and views conference planning from the point of view of an attendee and that of a copy desk manager. VISION FOR ACES: One goal of Deirdre’s, a regional workshop sponsored by the national board, was met this fall, and Deirdre would like to build on that to bring training to even more copy editors around the country, much as SND offers a series of flying short courses. She also would like to confirm locations for conferences at least three years in advance and has set up a geographic schedule for conferences through 2012. Beyond conferences, Deirdre would like to see ACES’ Web site upgraded to offer more to members and to accept membership and conference registrations online. VICE PRESIDENT/MEMBERSHIP: Sara Hendricks CURRENT JOB: As assistant managing editor of the Victoria Advocate in Texas, Sara oversees content and presentation, and is heavily involved as the paper’s digital capabilities increase. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: Sara’s favorite “job” with ACES has been serving as a contest judge. She served the inaugural year of the Robinson Prize and again this year. She has judged headline contests, been a conference presenter, collected goody bag items for the Houston conference and is part of ACES’ Texas chapter. QUALIFICATIONS: Sara has her newspaper’s support and can put in the time required. Her background as a reporter, copy editor and photographer at great big and itty bitty papers gives her a unique perspective. She thinks ACES filled a gap in the industry, and she likes being a part of it. VISION FOR ACES: Sara plans to increase ACES’ membership through recruiting and outreach and to multiply the benefits members receive. She also aims to help continue to increase the quality of conference sessions. Don’t start sending her your ideas yet, but she’d love to help expand the ways all members can help come up with ideas for both membership benefits and conference sessions. Involving more members in more ways is one of her main goals. TREASURER: Neil Holdway CURRENT JOB: News editor of the Daily Herald of suburban Chicago. Slots the front pages and oversees a staff of 17 copy editors. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: Neil is finishing his first term as treasurer (for ACES and its Education Fund). He has edited and written for the newsletter. He is the liaison with regional chapters and has presented at several national conferences and regional workshops. Neil helped start ACES Midwest. QUALIFICATIONS: “I've applied what I've learned keeping the books on a small business's investments to ACES. I've increased ACES' return on its reserves more than tenfold in two years so it can cover the cost of scholarships and the Robinson Prize, as well as improved ACES' bookkeeping.” VISION FOR ACES: “First, I intend to maintain ACES' investment return on reserves even if interest rates have peaked. ACES can and will invest in an improved Web site, particularly to allow online conference and membership registrations, and can invest in an executive director who can establish more services for members. And I'd like to see ACES reach out to more copy editors so they can help ACES and ACES can help them.” SECRETARY: Lisa McLendon CURRENT JOB: Deputy copy chief at The Wichita Eagle. Edits copy, writes display type and performs some supervisory duties. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: Lisa has attended the past five national conferences and has been a presenter four times (small-paper issues and display type). She was a presenter at October’s Omaha regional workshop. Last year she served on the scholarship committee. She also touts the benefits of ACES to colleagues, students and supervisors. QUALIFICATIONS: Like all copy editors, Lisa is organized, attentive to detail and mindful of deadlines. On top of that, she’s ready to work hard for ACES. She’s spent her career at small and midsized papers in the heartland and will be a strong voice for such papers on the board. VISION FOR ACES: “We need to keep working to get copy editors out of the shadows. It’s crucial, especially now, that people who make staffing decisions know what we do and why it’s valuable for quality journalism of any kind. News is news whether it’s in the paper or on the Web, and good copy editors help maintain the credibility of news sources. ACES needs to remain an advocate for quality editing and a reliable source for training.” EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BOARD (NON-OFFICERS): William G. “Bill” Connolly CURRENT JOB: Senior editor (retired), The New York Times. Duties include attending art school, promoting ACES, encouraging potential copy editors and doting upon grandchildren. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: Charter member of ACES; lifetime member; speaker at every conference so far; executive committee member, 1998-2002 and 2004-present; Education Fund secretary-treasurer, 2004-2005; Education Fund president, 2005-present. QUALIFICATIONS: Lengthy and varied experience nurturing ACES from its infancy to maturation; experience at a variety of papers; a deep understanding of the challenges facing copy editors; numerous contacts throughout every level of the newspaper industry; the drive to turn projects into reality. VISION FOR ACES: 1.) Vigorous growth for the Education Fund, including more energetic fund-raising and publicity efforts, with the goal of making our education programs self-sustaining and broadening them within a few years. 2.) Continued enhancement of such traditional ACES endeavors as the national conference, regional chapters and conferences, the newsletter and the headline competition. 3.) In the face of growing economic pressures on the industry, a renewed drive to win recognition for the essential contributions of copy editors. Daniel Hunt CURRENT JOB: Sports copy editor and page designer for The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, Calif. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: Daniel, a member of ACES since 2003, helped create the Northern California chapter and its Web site, and he is the group’s co-chairman. He spoke about design and editing at the 2004 national conference in Hollywood and organized NorCal’s chapter workshop in 2005. QUALIFICATIONS: Daniel’s nominator wrote that he has a young and energetic voice that would make a great addition to the board. He’s also good with technology and could lend his skills to improving ACES’ Web site and outreach through technology. VISION FOR ACES: “In the role of board member, I would like to help grow college and high school students’ awareness of the group. I think that the Internet can become a grassroots tool to share, teach and enhance the craft of editing by bringing the community together.” Missy Prebula CURRENT JOB: Copy editor on the national desk at The New York Times. Also has served as the late slot and filled in as deputy slot. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: “I have been a member since 1999, have attended the last eight conferences, mostly at my own expense, and have presented sessions and served as a moderator for open discussion forums.” QUALIFICATIONS: “I’ve come to know many of the society’s founding members and leaders over the years and I have a good understanding of their dedication and the amount of work they put in on our behalf. I would welcome such a responsibility and hold it in high regard.” VISION FOR ACES: “The society needs to continue to build its financial stability and its membership rolls. I spent four years at a small daily in Texas, three at The Baltimore Sun and the last two here in New York, and I have not forgotten my early experiences and the people who taught me the business. It was not always easy, and that’s why I think ACES could do a better job of guiding and supporting younger editors.” Teresa Schmedding CURRENT JOB: Senior News Editor of the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago, overseeing copy editors on various desks, and planning key Page 1 packages. Also assists in strategic planning for the Daily Herald's Web site and its sister publication, Reflejos. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: Teresa has served on the ACES board since 2002. Her responsibilities include overseeing the headline contest, Robinson Prize and scholarships. She also serves on the conference subcommittee, helping organize speakers and sessions. Teresa is responsible for all ACES merchandise. She has spoken at several ACES conferences and has represented ACES at the American Press Institute and in the Maynard Institute mentor program. QUALIFICATIONS: “I hit the ground running when elected to my first term and continue to plow full-speed ahead with new ideas and plans for the future. One of my major goals was to craft the rules for the Robinson Prize, which has been a great success. My job at the Daily Herald gives me a unique perspective in that it's both a major metropolitan daily and a small-town paper so I can serve the needs of all members.” VISION FOR ACES: “We, as copy editors, have to become proactive and get ahead of the curve on the changes in our industry. We need to provide the tools, knowledge and inspiration to help our members do that. It's not about getting our voices heard any more, it's about changing our tune so we can lead the orchestra. Also, my next goal on the board is to map out a plan for more one-day regional conferences to reach more members.” David Sullivan CURRENT JOB: In charge of all copy editors at The Philadelphia Inquirer -- scheduling, standards, etc. Also in charge of style and policy for the paper. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: David has edited the ACES newsletter for the last two years; served on the executive board; presented workshops at national conferences since Baltimore; and organized one regional workshop. QUALIFICATIONS: “There are many outstanding candidates for the executive board. I bring two years of experience, along with 13 years in leadership of an SPJ chapter, in terms of helping an organization operate. Because of many workshops I led for Knight Ridder I understand the problems both of small papers and large ones.” VISION FOR ACES: “The instability in the newspaper and magazine businesses and the continuing online revolution are both a threat and an opportunity to copy editors. I hope to help ACES minimize the threat through reminding editors and management everywhere of how copy editors are essential on any platform. I hope to help copy editors seize the opportunity by both grasping opportunities in online publishing and also creatively positioning their print products for a new era.” Scott Toole CURRENT JOB: Copy desk news editor, The Express-Times, Easton, Pa. Duties include desk supervision, A-1, rimming and slotting. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ACES: Three-term Executive Board incumbent. National and regional (Ohio) conference presenter. Serves on the conference and the executive director search committees. Coordinates the silent and live auctions at the national conference. Charter member of ACES and has attended 9 of the 10 national conferences. QUALIFICATIONS: As a three-term Executive Board incumbent and a longtime ACES member, Scott understands the challenges ACES faces going forward and is dedicated to helping ensure the society’s success. He is committed to our craft and its future. He enjoys interacting with our members and hearing their ideas. VISION FOR ACES: “The newspaper industry is going through a time of rapid change and ACES must be ready to address what this means for copy editors. Our national conferences must continue to provide vital training opportunities and we must expand our offerings on the regional level as training dollars shrink. We must continue to look for ways to provide additional membership value and strive to grow our numbers. I favor hiring an executive director who would take over some of the day-to-day responsibilities, freeing up our officers and Executive Board to plan ACES’ future.” RETURN TO WWW.COPYDESK.ORG 2007-2008 ACES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (Terms of those elected this year begin May 21, 2007.) OFFICERS President Chris Wienandt, Dallas Morning News Vice President/Membership Sara Hendricks, Victoria (Texas) Advocate Vice President/Conferences Deirdre Goebel Edgar, Los Angeles Times Secretary Lisa McLendon, Wichita Eagle Treasurer Neil Holdway, Daily Herald, suburban Chicago BOARD MEMBERS Gerri Berendzen, Quincy (Ill.) Herald-Whig Sue Blair, TIME magazine (retired) John Boogert, Rocky Mountain News (Denver) William G. Connolly, The New York Times (retired) Anne Ferguson-Rohrer, The Washington Post Daniel Hunt, Santa Rosa (Calif.) Press Democrat Missy Prebula, The New York Times Teresa Schmedding, Daily Herald, suburban Chicago David Sullivan, Philadelphia Inquirer Scott Toole, Easton (Pa.) Express-Times Click here for contact information for the current committee.